CBS Fantasy Football: Your Complete Guide to Winning, Having Fun, and Playing Like a Pro

Introduction
If you love football and want to have fun with friends, co-workers, or even strangers from around the country, CBS Fantasy Football is a great place to start. It gives you a clean, easy-to-use platform, expert rankings, tons of tools, and the fun of fantasy football in a way that’s simple—even for beginners.
Fantasy football lets you build your own “dream team” with real NFL players. You earn points based on their performance in real games. But CBS Fantasy Football kicks things up a notch. With smart features like live scoring, draft kits, customizable settings, and mobile support, it’s more than just a game. It’s a full-season experience packed with strategy, rivalries, and football fun.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about CBS Fantasy Football—from setting up your team to winning your league. It’s written in friendly language to make it easy, helpful, and fun for everyone—no matter your experience level.
Let’s dive in and explore what makes CBS Fantasy Football one of the top fantasy platforms year after year.
What Is CBS Fantasy Football?
CBS Fantasy Football is a fantasy football platform created by CBS Sports. It gives football fans a place to run leagues, draft players, and compete with friends during the NFL season.
The platform offers:
- Custom and public leagues
- Live or auto-draft options
- Detailed player rankings
- Season-long scoring and standings
- Real-time updates and expert articles
You can play for free or upgrade to CBS Fantasy Football Premium to unlock extra features. That means more info, better tools, and full control over your league settings.
If you’re new to fantasy football, CBS makes the process simple. If you’re an expert, its customization tools give you the power to build leagues exactly how you want them.
How to Create a League on CBS Fantasy Football
Starting your own league with CBS Fantasy Football is super easy. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you get going:
- Visit CBS Sports Fantasy:
Go to CBSSports.com/fantasy and click on “Create a League.” - Choose Free or Premium:
Free leagues give you the basics. Premium leagues offer extra tools, stats, and customization. - Name Your League:
Pick a fun name! Make it personal or funny. It’s your league, your call. - Set League Rules:
Choose scoring style (Standard, PPR, or Custom), draft type, and number of teams. - Invite Friends:
Send the league link to friends or teammates. They just click to join. - Pick a Draft Date:
Find a day and time that works for everyone—and get ready to draft!
You’re now the commissioner of your own CBS Fantasy Football league!
Live Drafts on CBS Fantasy Football: How They Work
One of the best parts of CBS Fantasy Football is the live draft. It’s where you choose your team—round by round—in real time.
How it works:
- Each person takes turns picking NFL players.
- The order is either random or set beforehand (like “snake” drafting).
- You have a few minutes per pick.
- CBS offers real-time player rankings during the draft to help you choose.
Features of the CBS live draft room:
- Easy drag-and-drop system
- Instant pick analysis
- Queue line so you can pre-set picks
- Auto-pick if you walk away
Make sure you do at least one mock draft before your real one. Practice helps!
CBS Fantasy Football App: Draft and Win on the Go
The CBS Fantasy Football app gives you everything you need to play, manage, or follow your team—all from your phone or tablet.
App features:
- Live draft tool
- Real-time scoring updates
- Weekly matchups and standings
- Waiver wire alerts
- Trade suggestions
- Expert advice and start/sit tips
Whether you’re at work, at the grocery store, or on vacation, you never have to miss a pick—or a player update.
Available for both iOS and Android, the CBS Fantasy Football app gets high ratings for its clean look and simple controls.
Scoring Settings in CBS Fantasy Football

Scoring settings control how players earn points each week. CBS Fantasy Football offers lots of scoring options to match how you want to play.
Most leagues use one of the following formats:
- Standard: Points for yards and touchdowns. No extra points for receptions.
- PPR (Points Per Reception): Adds 1 point for every catch a player makes.
- Custom: You can set your scoring rules—for example, 6 points for a rushing TD or 0.5 points per catch.
You can also adjust:
- Points for big plays
- Defensive scoring
- Field goal distances
- Bonus points
As a commissioner, CBS gives you full control to match your league’s vibe.
Waiver Wire and Trades: Managing Your Team Like a Pro
During the season, the most fun happens after the draft. This is where managing your team becomes exciting—and CBS fantasy football makes it easy.
Waiver Wire
- The waiver wire is a list of available players not yet on a team.
- You can add new players every week, based on real NFL performances.
- Waivers usually process on Wednesday mornings in standard CBS leagues.
Trades
- Trade with other league members to improve your team.
- Trades must be accepted by both sides and sometimes approved by the commissioner.
- CBS trade tools let you compare stats side-by-side to make savvy moves.
Stay alert each week—winners are built with smart, ongoing moves!
CBS Fantasy Football Premium: What’s Included?
CBS offers both free and premium leagues. Free leagues are great but going Premium unlocks powerful features that serious players love.
CBS Fantasy Football Premium Includes:
- Custom scoring and rosters
- Advanced draft tools (auction drafts, keeper leagues)
- Playoff bracket flexibility
- Player outlooks and full projections
- Live customer support
- Historical league data and past winners
The price varies depending on the season and league size. But if you want full control and rich data, Premium is worth checking out.
Expert Advice Inside CBS Fantasy Football
CBS brings in fantasy experts like Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath Cummings, who offer trusted fantasy content year-round.
What you get:
- Weekly rankings and projections
- Start/sit advice
- Trade analyzers
- “Breakouts, Sleepers, Busts” articles
- Live Q&A sessions before lineups lock
When you’re not sure who to start or who to drop, CBS’s expert content can make all the difference—especially during close matchups.
CBS Fantasy Football Mock Drafts: Practice to Win
Before your real draft, try a CBS fantasy football mock draft. It’s a free tool that simulates a real draft, so you can practice picks and strategies.
Why it’s helpful:
- Try different draft spots
- Learn when players are usually picked
- Test RB-heavy, WR-focused, or balanced strategies
- Get used to the timer and software
Mock drafts help you feel prepared and confident when your real draft comes. CBS makes them quick, helpful, and easy to join anytime.
CBS vs. Other Major Fantasy Platforms
There are lots of fantasy platforms out there—ESPN, Yahoo, Sleeper—but what makes CBS Fantasy Football special?
CBS Strengths:
- Polished app and website interface
- In-depth stats and expert articles
- Totally customizable scoring and league rules
- Dedicated customer support
- Great for serious and competitive leagues
Where others shine:
- ESPN: Good for casual public leagues with large communities
- Yahoo: Simple layout and easy navigation
- Sleeper: Great app for dynasty or keeper leagues
If you want a blend of stats, tools, and customization, it’s hard to beat CBS Fantasy Football.
Playing CBS Fantasy Football with Family or Co-Workers
Fantasy football isn’t just for hardcore fans. CBS makes it easy to create fun, casual leagues with family, friends, or co-workers.
Why it’s perfect for groups:
- Easy setup for first-timers
- Draft party tools and reminders
- Weekly banter keeps the season fun
- You can play for prizes or just bragging rights
Office leagues, school clubs, and family groups can all enjoy a friendly season that brings people closer—without needing deep NFL knowledge.
FAQs
1. Is CBS Fantasy Football free to play?
Yes! CBS offers free fantasy football leagues and also supports premium leagues for enhanced features and tools.
2. Can I use CBS Fantasy Football on my phone?
Absolutely. The CBS Fantasy app works on iPhones and Android and includes drafting, scoring, and lineups.
3. Can I import friends from Yahoo or ESPN?
No direct import. But it’s easy to start a new league on CBS and send them your custom invite link
4. How long does a CBS live draft take?
Most drafts take 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of teams and how long each pick takes.
5. Does CBS offer mock drafts?
Yes. CBS offers live or automatic mock drafts so you can practice different strategies for free.
6. What is the CBS Fantasy Football Premium cost?
It varies by season. Most leagues can upgrade for under $200 total, which divides among team managers (optional).
Conclusion
Whether you’re brand new or a fantasy football veteran, CBS Fantasy Football gives you the tools, features, and fun experience you need to enjoy the season.
From expert advice and mobile support to live scoring and detailed draft tools, CBS helps you feel confident on draft day—and every game day after that. It’s easy enough for beginners but deep enough for serious players who want full control.